Salba – Nature’s “Perfect Food?” Heart & Diabetic Help

Tablespoon Of Salba Seeds

Could there be such a thing as the “perfect food?” If there is, could it be Salba? Well, Dr. Vladimir Vuksan of the University of Toronto seems to think so and has called Salba the perfect food. Salba has been studied in a number of nutritional investigations and the results published in peer reviewed journals indicate that salba is a grain that has some mighty benefits when consumed on a regular basis.

What Is Salba?

Salba is a seed that is produced by Salvia Hispanica plant and is closely related to chia seeds. In fact, it seems that both salba and chia seeds come from the same plant but salba is grown under strict conditions and cultivated whereas chia is mostly grown wild. Salba are white in color while chia seeds are darker and have a much nuttier taste to them. Salba is grown and cultivated in central and south America, with most of the production that is available in the rest of the world originating in Peru. It is considered an “ancient” seed or grain and was known to the Aztecs who would carry it with them on their very long runs in order to increase and maintain their energy levels. How correct were the Aztecs? It seems that Salba seeds really did help them!

Nutritional Benefits of Salba

Salba is a powerhouse of nutrition, and compared to other foods, contains more antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids than many others. For example, one serving of salba contains 3,050 mg of Omega-3’s while a 3 oz serving of baked Atlantic salmon contains 1,564 mg of Omega-3’s. By weight, it also contains 25% more fiber than flax seeds, which have been highly recommended to individuals that need more fiber in their diet.

Do you need calcium? Salba has six times the amount of calcium as cow’s milk. Magnesium is required by the body in order to absorb calcium and Salba has fifteen times the amount of magnesium that broccoli contains. If you ever get cramps in your lower limbs including your legs and feet, that could be a sign that your body is telling you that you are not getting enough magnesium in your diet.

We know that blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, but did you know that compared to blueberries, Salba has 30 percent more antioxidants per serving?

These are just a few of the examples of how Salba could be a super food and one that your entire family should eat on a regular basis. It also contains more iron than spinach does, per serving.

Health Benefits Of Salba

In addition to being a powerhouse of nutrients and anti-oxidants, there are some major health benefits that have been shown when one consumes salba on a regular basis. One study that was published in the Diabetes Care peer reviewed journal proved that Salba on a daily basis could reduce blood glucose levels and be helpful to those who are diabetic. As well, it showed that Salba was helpful in regulating energy levels in such a way that there is less of a “spike” in energy throughout the day when Salba is eaten along with breakfast.

Regular consumption of Salba has also shown to lower blood pressure and is very good for healthy hearts.

For those who are in need of a weight loss regimen, consumption of Salba offers the quality of being low in calories and yet maintaining a sense of “fullness” and reducing hunger pangs. It has the ability to absorb water and expand in the stomach which promotes the reducing of hunger sensations.

So, being packed full of anti-oxidants, essential nutrients and fiber and all the health benefits that go along with that, Salba is a wonderful food to eat if you want to stay healthy, happy and beautiful!

Eating Salba

Two tablespoons of Salba are considered a serving and you can easily add this to your daily diet in a number of ways. Salba is neutral in taste and therefore you don’t have to worry about adding something unwanted as far as what the sensation of taste to your meals. Adding unmilled seeds to yogurt is a pleasant way to eat Salba. It is also available in ground or milled form, and you could add this to bread recipes.

Because Salba absorbs water, consider using it to thicken gravies as well.